London area of Bethnal Green guide

What to do and where to stay in London's Bethnal Green neighbourhood

If you want to sample the true character of London's East End, Bethnal Green is a good place to start. Putting aside the murkier parts of its chequered history - Jack the Ripper prowling the streets, the worst civilian disaster of World War II at the Tube station and the notorious Kray twins living there - the area is a real slice of London life. Multicultural, lively, unpolished and the place to sample the Cockney meal of pie, mash and jellied eels, Bethnal Green is also home to the charming V & A Museum of Childhood and can call Brick Lane and the bloomin' marvellous Columbia Road Flower Market local. There are more hotels situated westwards towards the City and trendy Old Street but they're still within easy reach of this eclectic part of town.